General manager of Foxcroft Wine Co SouthPark, Sharon Balas, is not only a Charlotte native but a SouthPark one as well. As she often says, “I’ve gone absolutely nowhere…” In truth Charlotte has grown as a city along with her. She has been in the hospitality business for about 40 years mostly in SouthPark. Her passions include dogs, cats, wine, triathlon and her husband, Russ Gard. She is so grateful to have found her home at our SouthPark location and is at her most delighted when selecting the perfect bottle for her guests.

Since she was young, Madi watched her father use food and wine to bring their large family together. She admired his passion for reconnecting over a good meal and an even better bottle, which inspired her to enter the food and beverage industry at 19 with the goal of sharing that experience with everyone she met. Her journey led her to Foxcroft Wine Co., where her passion for wine really took off. She was fortunate to work alongside knowledgeable people who nurtured her curiosity and encouraged her to dive deeper. In 2023,Madibegan pursuing her WSET certifications and earned her WSET Level 3 in 2024. For her, wine has become more than just a way to reconnect—it’s a lifelong pursuit filled with endless opportunities to learn, explore, and share with others.

Chris has loved cooking since an early age. One of his favorite dishes to make as a 10 year old was scrambled eggs and omelettes for his family. As he watched his mother cook he tried to follow her and put his own spin on her German family recipes. Chris worked his way up through restaurants doing everything from making pizzas in an Italian restaurant and bar food at the Players Retreat in Raleigh to catering at the Cardinal Club in Raleigh and practicing French cuisine at Coquette. He has had extensive training at the Carolina Inn at Chapel Hill where he was fortunate to learn techniques from the best Executive Chefs.

Chris’s journey led him to Foxcroft Wine Co several years ago. He loves being a part of the Foxcroft family and takes pride and enjoyment in providing people with beautiful, healthy meals plated with seasonal fresh ingredients and watching them enjoy them.